30 Dec 2023
It is true that unexpected events can occur, such as automatic updates causing issues with WordPress or certain plugins not working. Additionally, user errors in the administration panel can lead to unintended changes on your website. Not every unexpected modification to your website is necessarily caused by a hacker or hackbot.
To determine if your WordPress website has been hacked, you can look out for the following signs:
1. Your website redirects visitors to another domain.
2. Google displays a red warning screen when accessing your website using the Chrome browser.
3. The Sucuri Malware scanner indicates that your website contains malware.
4. Your website displays strange advertisements in Google search results.
5. You can no longer access the admin area, and unknown users (administrators) have been added.
6. Your website is blacklisted, and you cannot send emails.
If none of the above points apply to your website, it is likely not hacked.
In cases where you encounter changes that you cannot understand, there are several possibilities:
1. Other users might have made the changes. Check the “author” of pages and posts, including revisions, to see if any specific name is associated with the modifications.
2. The Ithemes Security PRO plugin provides detailed logs of logged-in users in the administration panel. Check these logs to see if any changes or issues occurred during a specific user’s login session.
3. If automatic updates are enabled, a plugin update might have caused the problem. Try reverting to an older version of the plugin to see if it resolves the issue.
4. Ithemes Security PRO logs the changes made to files on the server, including additions, deletions, and modifications, along with timestamps. By reviewing these logs, you can identify which files were updated and when. You can then restore the files or roll back to an older version of the plugin to potentially resolve the problem.
If you suspect a hacker or script has infiltrated your WordPress website, check for files containing Base64 code, as they might indicate malicious activity. In such cases, you may need to carefully remove the code from the affected files or delete the suspicious files altogether.
If you want ease and certainty in dealing with website security, you can seek professional help to restore and secure your website. Engaging experts can ensure all files are thoroughly checked and your website becomes hack-free. Additionally, with a restoration and security service, you often get the PRO version of Ithemes Security NL for free, along with a 30-day guarantee to ensure your website remains securely protected.
